Wheel Horse 417-8
The Wheel Horse 417-8 is a compact lawn and garden tractor built from 1985 to 1986. It's designed for easy maneuvering with its 2-wheel drive system and manual steering. The tractor measures 65 inches long, 37.8 inches wide, and 41.3 inches tall, making it suitable for working in tight spaces. This model is powered by a Kohler KT17QS engine, which is air-cooled and runs on gasoline. The engine has 2 cylinders and produces 17 horsepower, which is about average for its class. It has a belt-driven gear transmission with 6 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the operator good control over speed. The 417-8 weighs 584 pounds and features lawn/turf tires for gentle operation on grass. It comes with a sleeve hitch for attaching various implements and has a 3-gallon fuel tank for extended use.

Quick specs
- Category
- Lawn and Garden
- Engine Power Output
- 17hp
- Operating Weight
- 584 lb
- Transmission
- Belt-driven gear
At a glance
How the 417-8 compares
vs. Lawn and Garden medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Lawn and Garden tractors
This model
The 417-8 ranks at the 41st percentile for engine power among recorded lawn and garden tractors.
Overview
About the Wheel Horse 417-8
The Wheel Horse 417-8 is a compact lawn and garden tractor built from 1985 to 1986. It's designed for easy maneuvering with its 2-wheel drive system and manual steering. The tractor measures 65 inches long, 37.8 inches wide, and 41.3 inches tall, making it suitable for working in tight spaces. This model is powered by a Kohler KT17QS engine, which is air-cooled and runs on gasoline. The engine has 2 cylinders and produces 17 horsepower, which is about average for its class. It has a belt-driven gear transmission with 6 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the operator good control over speed. The 417-8 weighs 584 pounds and features lawn/turf tires for gentle operation on grass. It comes with a sleeve hitch for attaching various implements and has a 3-gallon fuel tank for extended use.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | Wheel Horse |
|---|---|
| Model | 417-8 |
| Category | Lawn and Garden tractor |
| Type | 4x2 2WD |
| Years built | 1985–1986 |
| Operating weight | 584lb |
Engine
| Make | Kohler |
|---|---|
| Model | KT17QS |
| Power | 17hp |
| Cylinders | 2 |
| Displacement | 42.2ci |
| Bore | 3.11in |
| Stroke | 2.76in |
Transmission
| Type | Belt-driven gear |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 6 |
| Reverse gears | 2 |
Chassis & drive
| Chassis | 4x2 2WD |
|---|---|
| Drive | 2WD |
| Steering | Manual |
| Cab | Open |
Dimensions
| Length | 65in |
|---|---|
| Width | 37.8in |
| Height | 41.3in |
| Operating weight | 584lb |
Head to head
417-8 vs. Lawn and Garden median
How the Wheel Horse 417-8 compares to other Lawn and Garden tractors
| Spec | This model | Lawn and Garden median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 17 hp | 18 hp | -6% | 41st |
| Engine Displacement | 42.2 ci | 41.1 ci | +3% | 54th |
| Cylinders | 2 | 2 | at median | 50th |
| Forward Gears | 6 | 6 | at median | 50th |
| Operating Weight | 584 lb | 738 lb | -21% | 34th |
| Length | 65 in | 71.7 in | -9% | 13th |
| Width | 37.8 in | 43.3 in | -13% | 32nd |
| Height | 41.3 in | 42.9 in | -4% | 28th |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the lawn and garden tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 152–380 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared Wheel Horse tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheel Horse 257H | 17 hp | — | 1988–1989 | Compare → |
| Wheel Horse 417-A | 17 hp | 633 lb | 1985–1986 | Compare → |
| Wheel Horse C-175 | 17 hp | 573 lb | 1980–1983 | Compare → |
| Wheel Horse 416-8 | 16 hp | 657 lb | 1985–1992 | Compare → |
| Wheel Horse 416-H | 16 hp | 600 lb | 1990–1997 | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariens GT17 | 17 hp | 926 lb | 1979–1987 | Compare → |
| Bolens G172 | 17 hp | 1,056 lb | — | Compare → |
| Bolens G174 | 17 hp | 1,144 lb | — | Compare → |
| Bolens H1704 | 17 hp | 1,268 lb | — | Compare → |
| Allis Chalmers 616 | 16.5 hp | 1,499 lb | 1972–1973 | Compare → |
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Gallery
Wheel Horse 417-8 photos






FAQ
Common questions
When was the Wheel Horse 417-8 in production?
Wheel Horse 417-8 production started in 1985 and ended in 1986.
How much horsepower does the Wheel Horse 417-8 have?
The Wheel Horse 417-8 produces 17 hp from its 2-cylinder engine. Engine displacement is 42.2 ci.
How much does the Wheel Horse 417-8 weigh?
The Wheel Horse 417-8 weighs about 584 lb in operating condition.
What transmission is in the Wheel Horse 417-8?
Transmission on the Wheel Horse 417-8 is Belt-driven gear, with 6 forward speeds.
What maintenance does the Wheel Horse 417-8 require?
Like any tractor, the Wheel Horse 417-8 needs periodic engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic fluid checks, and regular greasing and inspection. The owner's manual lists the manufacturer's recommended service intervals.


